INDYCAR unveils initial concepts for 2018 car look

Jan. 12, 2017 at
11:01 a.m.

Updated:
Jan. 12, 2017 at
11:01 a.m.

DETROIT – Jay Frye is fond of noting that current Chevrolet Camaros possess visual characteristics to yesteryear models. The INDYCAR president of competition and operations believes the Verizon IndyCar Series is on a similar path to historical throwback.

Without giving specific details to how the cars and their accompanying aerodynamic bodywork might look when they hit the track for the 2018 season, Frye offered the first visual peek into the future today at INDYCAR’s exhibit at the North American International Auto Show in the Motor City.

Frye unveiled a series of drawings designed to start the imagination process. The drawings were completed months ago, but they give the first picture of where the series is headed with its bodywork designs that will cover the Dallara IR-12 chassis.

A point to be made: There is no indication the images Frye showed are what the cars will look like in 2018 – the process of bodywork design is a work in progress. But it’s a start witnessed first by media gathered at the first major North American auto show of the year.

In coming weeks, Frye has an assortment of details to share with stakeholders, including drivers and team owners. INDYCAR is scheduled to provide another public update following the preseason’s open test Feb. 10-11 at Phoenix International Raceway. The goal is to have a car built for display at the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May, with on-track testing in the summer.

INDYCAR previously announced an aero freeze for the upcoming season, which means teams will use the kits offered by Chevrolet and Honda for the 17 races. The season opens two months from today, March 12, with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

This story will be updated following Frye’s media roundtable discussion at 11 a.m. ET.